1. CALCULATING FAIR AND BALANCED WAGE IS IMPOSSIBLE From the workers’ perspective, there is little sense in this argument. The problem of low wages is obvious to workers and many companies alike, yet because companies can’t agree on a figure, many refuse to try raising wages. The problem of low wages is obvious, yet because companies can’t agree on a figure, many refuse to raise wages. Although this dilemma has existed for years, little attempt has been made by companies to reach a consensus, and when multi-stakeholder initiatives have tried, negotiations have failed. It isn’t the case that this consensus is impossible, its just that companies don’t want to find it. In 2009, the Asia Floor Wage Alliance —an alliance of 80-plus garment workers’ unions, worker representatives, and non-governmental organizations from six Asian garment-producing countries—did all the hard work...